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Kara is currently on a co-op term at Science World, working as a Science Facilitator. She is majoring in Psychology at UBC, as well as earning her Master of Management Degree at the Sauder School of Business. When she is not studying or working, she is travelling the world or discovering new eateries!

Created date

Thursday, March 16, 2017 - 5:37pm

How To Build a Skyscraper

What does it take to build a mega-tall building like the Burj Khalifa in Dubai?

First of all, did you know that there is a difference between a skyscraper and a tower? A skyscraper is a building, and a building is designed to be a habitable space. A skyscraper is a building made of many stories. Unlike a building, a tower is simply a structure that is taller than it is wide. A tower is not built to be habitable, but may be used for other functions.

We build most skyscrapers with, either reinforced concrete (common in Vancouver), or steel beams and columns. Reinforced concrete is, basically, concrete poured around steel rods throughout the entire building. The steel rods provide added strength to the concrete, so the building can withstand any bending motion caused by the wind.

Reinforced concrete, or steel beams and columns, act as the skeleton of the skyscraper.

Beyond the bare bones, many other materials are used to cover the skyscraper’s internal structure and make it look pretty—such as glass, drywall, aluminum, granite and marble.

Design

The first thing you might notice about a skyscraper is its impressive exterior, soaring into the sky. However, beneath the shiny glass and fancy looks, all skyscrapers are feats of engineering.

The main thing that engineers must consider is the force of the wind. Since the force of the wind affects a skyscraper more than the weight of it, engineers must ensure that the skyscraper will not topple by a strong wind or sway enough to cause occupants discomfort.

But, don’t worry! The building design allows for this movement so, despite your mind telling you otherwise, you would be completely safe. In fact, models of mega-tall skyscrapers are tested in wind tunnels to examine the effects of strong winds. They also test the effects of changed wind patterns, caused by a new skyscraper, on the existing buildings in the area.

Construction Process

The substructure, or the part of the building that is below the ground, is the first thing to be built. This will support the building above and it is the most critical component. A building must have a strong foundation in order for the rest of it to stand up against the elements.

The superstructure comes next. This is the above ground portion—the storeys of the building. The exterior walls enclose the building by attaching panels of materials like metal, glass and stone to the structure’s framework.

Finally, the interior consists of all the typical utilities a building would include, such as toilets, lighting and heating systems. Interior design also accentuates the elegance of the skyscraper.